"What... what did Your Majesty say?"
Upon hearing Yuwen Lan's sudden words, the usually composed Empress Dowager was so shocked she began to stutter.
Yanshu also stared at him with equal astonishment.
Yuwen Lan paused before continuing, "Mother, since you've grown weary of palace life, why not find someone suitable to spend the rest of your life with? Mr. Qi used to teach me, and since then, I've known him to be truly talented and learned. From our recent interactions, I can see even more clearly his noble character. Among all the people I've met, only he is worthy of you."
After these words, both women remained shocked.
The Empress Dowager thought to herself, [... He truly thinks Mr. Qi and I are a match?]
Yanshu pondered, [Does the Emperor really think highly of Mr. Qi? But he seemed to reject Mr. Qi before...]
Yuwen Lan, [...]
Well, the past is the past, and now is now...
At this moment, Yanshu quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty is wise! I also believe Mr. Qi is of noble character and thoughtful nature. Moreover, the academy's environment is pleasant. If Mr. Qi could take care of the Empress Dowager, both Your Majesty and I would be at ease."
Hehe, regardless of what the Emperor's true intentions were, this was a rare opportunity. As a devoted shipper, she had to help push the Empress Dowager and her idol together!
After all, this might be their last chance.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager paused again, chiding gently, "This child..."
But in her heart, she wondered, [Could I... really be with him?]
Yanshu nodded vigorously in her mind, but then the Empress Dowager sighed, saying, "How could that be possible? I am the Empress Dowager, with so many eyes watching my every move..."
Before she could finish, she suddenly stopped, surprised at having spoken her thoughts aloud.
Yanshu quickly responded, "That's not a problem at all! Your Highness always wears a veil when leaving the palace, and none of the academy's students have ever seen your face. You could simply assume a different identity!"
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, "But... how would that work?"
Yuwen Lan spoke up, "As long as you can be happy, I will arrange everything."
The next day, news spread of the white crane sorcerer's capture. People learned that not only had he plotted rebellion and harmed common folk, but he had also posed as a physician and encouraged Consort Wang's family to send poison into the palace, which had poisoned the Empress Dowager.
The Emperor was furious and had the sorcerer executed at noon that day, much to the public's satisfaction.
However, this did not restore the Empress Dowager's health.
As days passed, her condition worsened, and even the miraculous physician Xun Lan was helpless.
During the old year's final day and the new year's first day, visitors who came to pay their respects couldn't see the Empress Dowager's face, only smelling the medicinal herbs in the palace.
Everyone worried, hoping that Consort Yi would soon give birth to a prince to bring some joy to the Empress Dowager.
In the Palace of Benevolent Peace.
It was the third day of the new year. After dealing with New Year's visitors during the day, Yanshu and Yuwen Lan came to the Palace of Benevolent Peace at night.
After dismissing the attendants, only three people remained in the hall.
They saw that after a period of bone manipulation surgery, the Empress Dowager's features had changed somewhat.
Those who saw her daily might not notice, but those who visited less frequently would notice that her nose bridge, cheekbones, and eye shape were different from before.
Soon, old acquaintances would no longer recognize the Empress Dowager.
Seeing Yanshu's pregnant belly, the Empress Dowager worried, "You're so close to your due date, why are you still moving about? What if you suddenly go into labor?"
Yanshu rubbed her belly and smiled, "The imperial physician said walking around at this time is good for delivery. We're in the palace anyway, and the midwives and wet nurses are all ready. If I go into labor, so be it."
The Empress Dowager laughed, "It's rare to see someone so carefree about this. But that's good - those with peace of mind are blessed."
Yanshu thanked the Empress Dowager with a smile, then Yuwen Lan asked, "Mother, how have you been these days? Can you endure the bone manipulation surgery?"
The Empress Dowager replied, "I am well, Your Majesty need not worry. Consort Yi is the priority now - she must not be neglected."
Yuwen Lan responded, "Rest assured, Mother. I will ensure both mother and child are well protected."
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "It's late, you should return to rest. It's cold outside, do be careful."
They agreed and left the Palace of Benevolent Peace.
As mentioned earlier to the Empress Dowager, walking was beneficial for labor at this time, so Yanshu didn't want to take a sedan chair and planned to walk back to Ganlu Palace.
Yuwen Lan accompanied her.
The air was somewhat humid tonight. Yanshu looked up at the sky, seeing heavy clouds obscuring the stars. Her eyes brightened as she said, "Looks like it might snow again? Hehe, then we can have hotpot tomorrow night!"
Yuwen Lan found it amusing and said, "If you want to eat it, can't you have it any day? Why wait for snow?"
Yanshu giggled, "Because snow creates the perfect atmosphere for hotpot..."
Before she could finish, she suddenly stopped.
Yuwen Lan raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop talking?"
She stood still for a moment, then looked at him in disbelief, "I... I think I'm going into labor..."
Indeed, she had just felt a warm flow from her abdomen that wouldn't stop - this symptom seemed to be the legendary water breaking...
Hearing this, Yuwen Lan was startled and quickly called out, "Someone, prepare the sedan chair!"
But Yanshu stopped him, "No, I can't move anymore. If I move, more amniotic fluid will flow out, and the baby will be in danger..."
"What?"
Yuwen Lan paused, then without further thought, picked her up in his arms and rushed toward Ganlu Palace.
Although they had prepared thoroughly beforehand, only when the contractions actually began did Yanshu understand how painful childbirth could be.
Damn, it was really too painful. If it weren't for the system constantly reminding her in her mind not to scream to avoid losing strength and causing difficult labor, even showing her many frightening examples, she might have cried out.
Fortunately, she had eaten well at dinner, had three midwives guiding her, and had done well in her prenatal training. After enduring contractions for almost half the night, she finally gave birth to the baby.
It was a boy, pink and white, with a loud cry. When weighed, he was exactly six jin and six liang - an auspicious number.
Seeing both mother and child safe, Yuwen Lan was overjoyed. When the midwife wrapped the little one in swaddling clothes and handed him to him, he barely dared to move.
This was his baby, his child, the new life created by him and his beloved.
His life finally had continuation.
He bent down to kiss Yanshu's sweat-dampened forehead, saying softly, "Thank you for your hard work."
Yanshu wearily opened her eyes and asked, "What time is it?"
Yuwen Lan replied gently, "Dawn is approaching. Get some good rest. I'll watch over the baby."
Yanshu agreed and closed her eyes contentedly.
In her drowsy state, she suddenly realized something―
It seemed that since the contractions began, she hadn't heard anyone else's thoughts?
Huh, what was going on?
Had her mind-reading ability disappeared?
Or was she simply too exhausted?
However, having gone through a sleepless night, she was too tired and sleepy to think about this matter now, and finally fell asleep.
While Yanshu was resting, Yuwen Lan personally carried the baby to the Palace of Benevolent Peace.
The Empress Dowager, having worried all night after hearing about Yanshu's labor, was both surprised and delighted to see her son bringing her grandson personally.
Carefully holding the little one in her arms, the Empress Dowager could hardly take her eyes off him, examining him closely while exclaiming, "The precious one looks exactly like Your Majesty did as a child. Look at these eye creases - they'll surely become big eyes. And these earlobes - they take after his mother, signs of a blessed life."
Yuwen Lan leaned in to look too, nodding as he listened.
Just then, the little one who had been sleeping soundly opened his eyes.
Mother and son were startled, thinking the baby would cry.
But the little one just quietly looked at them, without any fuss.
When he had looked enough, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
The Empress Dowager carefully handed the baby back to Yuwen Lan, saying softly, "Now that I've seen him, I can rest easy. Your Majesty should take him back soon, lest he wakes up hungry."
Yuwen Lan nodded slightly and responded in a low voice, careful not to disturb the little one.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager continued, "Consort Yi has repeatedly rendered great service to Your Majesty, and she deserves proper rewards. In my opinion, she has a compassionate heart, a broad mind, and can distinguish right from wrong. Now that she has given birth to your first son, she is worthy of the position of Empress."
Yuwen Lan smiled, "Mother, please rest assured. Tomorrow I will issue an imperial decree, and when both mother and child complete their full month, we shall hold the investiture ceremony."
The Empress Dowager nodded, "In that case, I can be at ease."
The emperor she had raised would surely treat his loved ones well, unlike that person from before.
The next morning, as promised, an imperial decree was issued: for the merit of bearing a son, Consort Yi would be elevated to Empress. Her father Zhong Rong was promoted to Duke Zhongyi, her mother was granted the title of First-Rank Noble Lady, and her brother became the Heir of Duke Zhongyi.
After the third-day celebration, the emperor personally named his firstborn son Yuwen Heng, signifying the perpetuation of the Yuwen clan's glory.
Simultaneously, he was established as the Crown Prince.
As days passed and the first month of the year ended, spring breezes began caressing the branches in the capital, and the weather turned warm.
Taking advantage of the gentle spring weather and coinciding with the full-month celebration of the Empress and the Crown Prince, the palace held both the grand ceremony for establishing the Empress and investing the Crown Prince.
Court officials and common people were all excited—the Great Liang Dynasty now had an Empress and a Crown Prince, bringing vitality to both court and common life.
However, not long after, news came of the Empress Dowager's passing, and the emperor ordered national mourning to express grief.
By mid-February, early spring flowers were blooming on the sunny hillsides.
Qi Shuguang stood beneath a tree, watching an approaching figure, struggling to contain the emotion in his eyes as he said, "Welcome, my lady."
The Empress Dowager had already removed her veil and smiled at him, saying, "We're family now, no need for such formalities from now on."
Qi Shuguang smiled in agreement and took her hand, leading her to where wildflowers bloomed abundantly.
Shouldn't human life be like these mountain flowers—as long as one lives, one should strive to bloom brilliantly?
Meanwhile in the palace, Yanshu, who had witnessed these scenes through the system, couldn't hold back her tears.
Oh my, her idol and the boss had finally reached this point—it was so difficult, so moving!
After crying for a while, she was about to wipe her tears when she looked down and saw her baby staring at her with pouting lips, seemingly about to cry.
Yanshu paused, wondering what was wrong. Had the little one secretly wet himself?
But when she checked the swaddling clothes, they were completely dry.
Besides, the little one had just finished nursing, so he shouldn't be hungry.
She asked, "Baby, why are you looking at Mother like that?"
Of course, the little one couldn't answer her yet, only gazing at her with his grape-black eyes, appearing quite aggrieved.
Yanshu: "..."
Alas, being a first-time mother without her mind-reading abilities, she really couldn't guess what this milk-drinking baby was thinking.
Well, since the little one wasn't crying, she might as well continue enjoying her favorite couple's story.
Having finished crying from being moved earlier, she now felt content—the Empress Dowager boss had finally gotten together with her idol, and they could support each other for the rest of their lives.
After smiling fondly for a while, she looked down again to find her baby grinning at her.
Yanshu became excited, "Baby can smile?"
Upon hearing this, the little one paused, then smiled at her again.
Mother and son shared a moment of joy, and Yanshu suddenly realized something—perhaps the little one was sensing her emotions?
When she had tears in her eyes earlier, he pouted; now that she was smiling, he smiled too?
Ah! Upon this realization, she was startled—could it be that her lost mind-reading ability had transferred to her son?
Thinking of this, her eyes widened with joy as she exclaimed, "This is amazing!"
As she spoke, the little one smiled again.
Yanshu became even more convinced.
It must be true!
Because the baby was still young, he probably couldn't understand people's thoughts, but he could sense their happiness.
This way, as he grew older and more aware, he would be able to discern people's good and bad intentions, and protect himself!
How wonderful!
Yanshu was overjoyed and began showering her baby with kisses.
Just then, Yuwen Lan entered the hall.
Seeing her like this, he curiously asked, "What's happening?"
She replied, "Nothing special, just that our baby is so clever, I'm happy."
Ahem, better not tell him about the baby's mind-reading abilities, or her own past mind-reading powers might be exposed.
Hearing this, Yuwen Lan was also pleasantly surprised—so his mind-reading ability really was hereditary?
He deliberately asked, "How is our baby clever?"
Yanshu responded, "Baby and I are connected heart-to-heart—when I'm happy, he's happy."
Yuwen Lan nodded, "Indeed clever!"
He then took the chubby little one into his arms and smiled, "Is our baby that amazing?"
The little one grinned at him in response.
Yuwen Lan felt his heart melt with tenderness as he bent down to kiss the baby's milk-scented cheek.
Yanshu proudly commented from the side, "Our baby is really extraordinary!"
Yuwen Lan hummed in agreement and kissed her milk-scented cheek as well, saying, "Just as extraordinary as you."
